two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together: a pair of gloves; a pair of earrings.
something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together: a pair of scissors; a pair of slacks.
two individuals who are similar or in some way associated: a pair of liars; a pair of seal pups.
a married, engaged, or dating couple.
two mated animals.
a span or team: a pair of horses.
Government.
two members on opposite sides in a deliberative body who for convenience, as to permit absence, arrange together to forgo voting on a given occasion.
the arrangement thus made.
Cards.
two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
pairs,two card players who are matched together against different contestants.
pairs,pair skating.
Also called kinematic pair .Mechanics. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
Philately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally.
a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole: a pair of beads.
verb (used with object)
to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two: She paired dancers for the waltz contest.
to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple: to pair freshly washed socks.
(of animals) to cause to mate.
verb (used without object)
to separate into pairs or groups of two (usually followed by off): to pair off for a procession.
to form a pair or pairs.
to be a member of a pair.
to match with or resemble another.
to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc.
(of animals) to mate.
Government. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair.
Idioms for pair
grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. to act in a stereotypically manly way, as by being brave: Stop the whining and grow a pair!
Origin of pair
1
1250–1300; Middle English paire<Old French <Latin pāria, plural (taken as feminine singular) of pār a pair. See par1
synonym study for pair
1. Pair, brace, couple, span, yoke are terms for groups of two. Pair is used of two things naturally or habitually associated in use, or necessary to each other to make a complete set: a pair of dice. It is used also of one thing composed of two similar and complementary parts: a pair of trousers.Brace is a hunter's term, used of a pair of dogs, ducks, etc., or a pair of pistols or slugs: a brace of partridges. In couple the idea of combination or interdependence has become greatly weakened; it may be used loosely for two of anything ( a couple of apples ), and even for more than two: I have to see a couple of people.Span is used of a matched pair of horses harnessed together side by side. Yoke applies to the two animals hitched together under a yoke for drawing and pulling: a yoke of oxen.
grammar notes for pair
When used without a modifier, pairs is the only possible plural: Pairs of skaters glided over the ice. When modified by a number, pairs is the more common form, especially referring to persons: Six pairs of masked dancers led the procession. The unmarked plural pair is used mainly in reference to inanimate objects or nonhumans: He has three pair (or pairs ) of loafers. Two pair (or pairs ) of barn owls have nested on our property. Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape. In the sense “a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,” pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple.
It will still carry a pair of Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM long-range air-to-air missiles and a pair of bombs.
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Gurley was gunned down on Nov. 20, when a pair of cops was patrolling the rough housing project.
Protesters Demand Justice For Gurley As Gap Grows Between Cops and NYC|M.L. Nestel|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One of them had not been given time to get dressed; he was perp-walked wearing only a pair of boxers.
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They waved down a pair of responding cops who followed the alleged cop killer into the subway.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Big Eyes, you commissioned a pair of songs by Lana Del Rey.
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His silken yellow hair fell in heavy curls on a pair of the broadest shoulders in the dale.
Erling the Bold|R.M. Ballantyne
Morey had been scanning the horizon with a pair of powerful binoculars.
Islands of Space|John W Campbell
Twinkling, shining, expanding, the stars grew into a pair of eyes in the darkness.
Camps and Trails|Henry Abbott
Arrived at this point, he tried to draw the skirts of his dressing-gown over a pair of angular knees encased in threadbare felt.
Cousin Pons|Honore de Balzac
Another represented the Atkinson barouche, with its pair of horses, coachman and groom.
Lafcadio Hearn|Nina H. Kennard
British Dictionary definitions for pair (1 of 2)
pair1
/ (pɛə) /
nounpluralpairsorfunctioning as singular or pluralpair
two identical or similar things matched for use togethera pair of socks
two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped togethera pair of horses; a pair of scoundrels
an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined togethera pair of trousers
two people joined in love or marriage
a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding purposes
parliamentary procedure
two opposed members who both agree not to vote on a specified motion or for a specific period of time
the agreement so made
two playing cards of the same rank or denominationa pair of threes
one member of a matching pairI can't find the pair to this glove
cricketa pair of spectacles (the cricketing term)See spectacles (def. 2)
rowing See pair-oar
British and USdialecta group or set of more than two
logicmaths
a set with two members
an ordered set with two members
verb
(often foll by off)to arrange or fall into groups of twos
to group or be grouped in matching pairsto pair socks
to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple
(when tr, usually passive)parliamentary procedureto form or cause to form a pair18 members were paired for the last vote
See also pairs
Word Origin for pair
C13: from Old French paire, from Latin paria equal (things), from pār equal
usage for pair
Like other collective nouns, pair takes a singular or a plural verb according to whether it is seen as a unit or as a collection of two things: the pair are said to dislike each other; a pair of good shoes is essential